Circularly knit anti-slip seamless torso trim bra-slip

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses a circularly knit torso trim bra-slip comprising an upper torso region and a lower torso region. The bra-cups comprising a ribbed border to provide bust support. Self-adjusting stretch shoulder straps are uniquely shaped to eliminate unsightly breast spillage in the front and back bulge. A center ruching separates the two breasts. A side ruching on each of the bra-cup shapes the bust. A panel of maximum control extends from under the breast to the hip bone to flatten the tummy. A panel of medium control knit extends from the hip bone to mid-thigh to eliminate flattening of the fanny. A panel of light control knit from mid-thigh to lower thigh or knee and ending in a jersey band to prevent the slip from rolling or riding up. A preferred embodiment has sleeves having an inner arm compression portion of medium control to minimize the swelling caused by lymphedema.

1. FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention discloses circularly knit anti-slip and seamless Peek-a-Boo torso trim bra-slip garments. More particularly, the present invention relates to a garment having i) a bra-cup comprising a unique ribbing border to provide bust boost and support, ii) a self-adjusting stretch strap uniquely shaped to eliminate unsightly breast spillage on either side of the front and to compress the bra bulge on either side of the back silhouette, iii) a center ruching portion in the front for separating the two breasts, iv) a side ruching on each bra-cup for bust shaping, v) a smooth knit seamlessly joining the side ruching on each bra-cup to provide a no-show through t-shirt knit, vi) a panel extending circularly from under the breast to the hip bone comprising ribbed knit material with maximum control, vii) a panel extending from the hip bone to mid-thigh comprising a medium control knit to eliminate flattening of the fanny or restricting of leg movement, viii) a panel extending from mid-thigh to lower thigh comprising a light control knit material to prevent rolling or riding up of the slip especially in the sitting position, and a band of jersey knit that allows ease of movement without rolling or binding, and ix) an embodiment comprising on each side of the bra-slip a sleeve having an inner arm compression portion of medium control to eliminate the bulging or flabby triceps to give a slim appearance to the upper arm. In addition, for women who have had lymph nodes removed due to breast cancer and suffer from lymphedema, the compression in the arm can be helpful to minimize swelling.

The invention generally relates to bra-slip garments of short or long length, with or without sleeves, which can be worn as undergarments under skirts, dresses, suits, pants, coats or jackets or in the alternative may be worn without any covering as unitary garments.

2. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There has been continuing interest in the apparel industry to develop undergarments that provide a slimming and lifting effect in the upper half of the body while ensuring a slimming and shaping effect in the lower half of the body such as hips, tummy and thighs. The earliest form of lower body garment used for controlling and minimizing the appearance of body bulges was the girdle. However, the traditional girdle is made of heavy fabric and requires seaming of individual panels and can have a rubberized feeling next to a wearer's skin, and is uncomfortable and hot. Known upper body garments with breast support and no underwire have been designed as separate garments to provide full support and lift in the front or for providing a smooth back devoid of bulges. However, these garments do not provide a unitary garment that is designed to address the varying objectives of the upper and lower body parts that the present invention, the torso trim slip does by providing a seamless, naturally contouring bra-slip that does not roll up.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,846,217 to Struble et. al., discloses a women's garment with built-in breast support and no underwire, with a pair of side support panels to support the breasts. However, the side support panels do not eliminate the breast spillage on either side.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,395,557 to Ledyard describes a seamless women's upper body garment that functions to lift and enhance the bust line, slim and smooth the upper body and help to improve a wearer's posture without creating unsightly visible back lines and bulging. However, the garment does not provide a cup for shaping. Similarly, U.S. Pat. Application No. 2008/00226675 filed by Berner on Jul. 13, 2006, describes a garment body having an integrated full support bra at the front portion and at the back portion. The back portion has a high cut neckline and is contoured around the back arm and underarm areas to compress and support the back. Although the garment is described as tubular, it is made of a stretch quality fabric such as Nylon/Spandex to evenly compress the lower part of the torso. Although the garment is described as tubular and seamless, it extends to the hipbone and the front and back of the garment that covers the torso from the bra line to the hipbone are sewn together with a connecting seam. In other words, this is not a tubular knit garment. It is in fact a cut and sew garment.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,131,146, issued to Chatman describes a garment including a skirt having one ribbon that attaches to the skirt and is situated to encircle the leg to make the garment stay put. The stay-put slip is free flowing and does not provide the slimming effects of the present invention, the seamless slimming torso trim bra-slip. In addition, the embodiment described in Chatman is very susceptible to riding up.

A need exists for a garment that overcomes the disadvantages of the various garments described in the prior art and provides a unitary garment that combines an upper body garment, a bust supporter, and a body contouring portion extending from below the breast line encompasses the entire torso and extends to the thighs, which does not ride up.

The above disadvantages have been overcome in the present invention. The present invention relates to a unitary circularly knit seamless garment combining an upper body garment, a bust supporter, a body contouring portion with maximum control extending from below the breast line to the hip bone, a medium control portion contouring the fanny without flattening it, and an anti-slip light control portion that eliminates riding up or rolling of the hem portion of the garment.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a circularly knit garment comprising an anti-slip seamless unitary garment, the bra-slip, said bra-slip garment configured and adapted to cover the upper body and the lower torso of a wearer. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the present invention provides an upper body garment formed of material that is seamlessly woven light weight microfiber nylon and spandex and includes a bust support that eliminates unsightly breast spillage from the two bra-cups laterally and enhances the bust line in the front. The two bra-cups are separated by a central ruching of integral knit. The upper garment also includes self-adjusting stretch straps uniquely shaped to eliminate unsightly breast spillage in the front and and side of the breast and any bra bulge from the back silhouette. Each bra-cup includes a side ruching for bust shaping and a smooth knit adjoining the side ruching to provide a no-show through t-shirt knit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a circularly knit garment comprising of an anti-slip seamless unitary garment having body contouring function and seamlessly extending from under the breast to the hip bone and made of a stretchable ribbing knit of maximum control at the front and at the rear of the garment. The tummy and waist line are constricted to make the wearer's tummy look flat and smooth and therefore appear slimmer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a circularly knit anti-slip seamless unitary garment having body contouring functions in the lower torso, extending from the hip bone to mid-thigh region, being knit with a stretchable ribbing knit of medium control at the front and at the back of the garment in the shape of a slip. The fanny and thigh areas maintain natural shape, and the continuation of the garment from the maximum control region to the medium control region is provided by changing selection.

And yet, another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-slip seamless unitary garment having body contouring function and seamlessly extending from the mid-thigh region towards the knees to a full slip, being made of a light smoothing knit to prevent rolling or riding up of the slip. The unitary garment ends in a band of jersey knit that allows ease of movement and prevents rolling up or binding of the thighs.

An especially important object of the present invention is to provide a torso trim bra-slip designed for women with lymphedema comprising an embodiment comprising on each side of the bra-slip a sleeve having an inner arm compression portion of medium control to eliminate the bulging or flabby triceps to give a slim appearance to the upper arm and control the tricep dangle. In addition, for women who have had lymph nodes removed due to breast cancer and suffer from lymphedema, the compression in the arm can be helpful to minimize swelling.

The foregoing objects and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts. Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which preferred structural embodiments incorporating the principles of the present invention are shown by way of illustrative examples.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

A better understanding of the present invention may be obtained from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments described in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an anterior frontal view of the short version of the anti-slip seamless Peek-a-Boo torso trim bra-slip;

FIG. 2 is a posterior perspective view of the torso trim bra-slip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an anterior frontal view of the full dress length of the anti-slip seamless torso trim bra-slip;

FIG. 4 is a posterior perspective view of the torso trim full dress length bra-slip of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is the front view of the anti-slip seamless Peek-a-Boo torso trim short bra-slip, having sleeves attached on either side, each of said sleeves having an inner arm compression portion.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIGS. 1 through 5 depict embodiments of the invention as applied to circularly knit anti-slip seamless Peek-a-Boo torso trim bra-slip of varying lengths or similar types of torso trim garments.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a front and a back view of a circularly knit short torso trim unitary garment bra-slip respectively, according to the invention as it appears when it is worn. The garment has an upper torso region extending on each side from the shoulder region 2 to the waist region 6 and a lower torso region extending from the waist region 6 to the thigh region 8. The upper torso region includes a shoulder strap 2 connected to a breast area 10 on each side of the front view. The shoulder strap 2 is connected to an upper back area 12 of the garment. The shoulder strap on the front 2 is on the back area is designed with a self adjusting circularly knit ribbed material which hold the garment in place and prevents slippage.

The ribbed portion of the shoulder strap 2 continues on the front as a shoulder strap 3 made of a stretchable knit that constricts and eliminates breast spillage on the front 12 as a ribbed knit to eliminate any bulging on the back. Positioned strategically between bottom of the front strap 3 and bottom of the back strap 12 is a side ruching 5 made of a jersey knit to allow ventilation and breathability and at the same time to push the breast forward to give it shape.

The upper torso trim garment further comprises on each side of the front view a bra-cup. The bra-cup is attached seamlessly on each side to the ruching 5 and a central ruching 10. The central ruching 10 separates the two bra-cups and eliminates the appearance of one breast instead of two.

In the region between the central ruching 10 and the side ruching 5 is a support system 4 extending to the bust line and made of extra ribbing under knit that provides bust boost shaping and support on either side. This under knit support system 4 replaces underwires and helps shape, lift and support each breast.

The upper torso region of the garment continues into the lower torso region seamlessly providing three regions of varying knits 6, 7 and 8, each of said knits designed to provide specific elasticity, contouring and anti-slip features. Extending from the under knit support system at the bust line to the hip bone, the anti-slip seamless unitary garment both in the front 6 and in the back 6 is made of a stretchable ribbing knit of maximum control to achieve constriction of the tummy and the waist line and to make the wearer look flat in the tummy and slim at the waist line and throughout the torso where the rib knit is placed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the garments of the present invention also comprise a circularly knit portion extending from the hip bone to the mid-thigh area 7, made of a stretchable ribbing knit of medium control to achieve seamless body contouring while maintaining a slimmer appearance of the thigh and the fanny area.

The garments of the present invention preferably further comprise an anti-slip panel in the bra-slip extending from the mid-thigh region and below towards the knees, said panel made of a light control circularly knit fabric to prevent rolling or riding up of the slip hem. The torso trim bra-slip of the present invention ends in a terminal panel, a band of jersey knit 9 that ensures ease of movement without rolling or riding up.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively, the embodiments of the invention describe the anti-slip seamless Peek-a-Boo torso trim bra-slip of dress length. The panels 7 and 8 for medium and light control knits respectively, are longer in proportion and extend to the knee length or more.

Referring to FIG. 5, the garments of the present invention also comprise a specially designed sleeve 16 attached on each side of the shoulder strap on the front and back. This sleeve has an inner arm compression portion of ribbed knit with medium control and suited for a wearer with lymphedema or just saggy or flabby upperarms. The sleeve portion 17 is constructed to provide comfort, support and slimming underarms.

A conventional commercially available circular knitting programmable machine must be used to prepare the garments of the invention. The knitting selection and the yarns employed are adjusted to provide varying stretch and elasticity in the required parts of the garment of the present invention. The yarn used in the preparation of the garments can be selected from commercially available textile yarns. The polymers may include nylons, elastomeric polymers, polyester microfiber, spandex or a combination of microfiber nylon and spandex or LYCRA. The garments of the present invention may have a variety of necklines and generally fit over the head and encircle the upper and lower torsos extending from the shoulder to the thigh or knee. Various necklines can be designed including, but not limited to V-neck, sweet heart, scoop, square, jewel, or crew. The garments of the invention may be worn stand alone or as undergarments. The garments of the present invention are made of breathable fabric and the knitting selections used yield breathability and ventilation when needed. The garments of the invention are seamless and anti-slip and provide variable stretch and compression in different parts of the torso and thigh to provide a slimming, naturally contoured and comfortable torso trim bra-slip.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the embodiment disclosed in the example which is intended as an illustration of one aspect of the invention and any methods which are functionally equivalent are within the scope of the invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is realized that other variations and modifications of the preferred embodiment are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, any equivalents to the embodiments described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims. 

1. A circularly knit torso trim bra-slip having integrally knit-in support panels, said bra-slip comprising: an upper torso region extending from the shoulders to the waist line defined by a circularly knit ribbed shoulder strap joining a back panel and a front panel, said shoulder strap reinforced to allow self-adjustment and prevent slippage, a pair of bra-cups seamlessly attached on the front panel to each shoulder strap and structured with an under knit ribbing to provide boost to the breasts, and a plurality of integrally knit lateral panels in the shoulder strap in the back and front panels and in the bra-cups to provide support and prevent spillage of breasts; and a lower torso region seamlessly extending from the upper torso region at the waistline to the hip bone and beyond to the thighs, said lower torso region comprising a plurality of integrally knit support panels in predetermined portions of a wearer's body, each of said panels having varying elasticity, stitching and stretch to ensure a flat, slim and natural appearance and, to prevent a terminal panel from riding up the thigh.
 2. The circularly knit torso trim bra-slip according to claim 1, wherein said Pair of bra-cups are separated by a central ruching comprising of an integrally knit breathable yarn.
 3. The circularly knit torso trim bra-slip according to claim 1, further comprising a circularly knit portion in the form of a extra reinforced hidden ribbing attached to the under ribbing in each bra-cup.
 4. The circularly knit torso trim bra-slip according to claim 4, further comprising a circularly knit portion between the under ribbing in each bra-cup and the lateral panels in the shoulder strap.
 5. The circularly knit torso trim bra-slip according to claim 4, wherein a first support panel in the lower torso region extends from the bra line to the hip bone and comprises a knit of maximum control ribbing to flatten the tummy and waist regions.
 6. The circularly knit torso trim bra-slip according to claim 5, further comprising a second support panel, said second support panel extends from the hip bone to mid thigh and comprises a knit of medium control to eliminate flattening of fannies or restriction of leg movement.
 7. The circularly knit torso trim bra-slip according to claim 6,further comprises a third support panel, said third support panel extends from mid-thigh to lower thigh and comprises a knit of light control and ending into a jersey knit band to prevent riding or rolling up of the bra-slip.
 8. The circularly knit torso trim bra-slip according to claim 7, wherein the first, second and third support panels are configured in proportions required for a full dress length bra-slip.
 9. The circularly knit torso trim bra-slip according to claim 1, including a pair of sleeves attached on each side to the shoulder strap, said sleeves having an integrally knit inner arm region to provide compression for a wearer with lymphedema.
 10. The circularly knit torso trim bra-slip according to claim 9, including a pair of sleeves attached on each side to the shoulder strap, said sleeves having an integrally knit inner arm region to provide compression for a wearer with lymphedema. 